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Junk in the Trunk? Nah-That's My Realtor Kit!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 New Millennium

I used to call it my Kid Box. It started with diapers, crayons, bottled water, crayons and snacks. I kept it in my car and stocked it with anything I needed for long trips with the kids. It progressed to include notebook paper and pens for homework, lawn chairs and blankets for sports practices and games, extra goggles, sunscreen and towels for swim meets, trashbags (great for in a pinch ponchos, groundcloth, wrapping up those muddy cleats and of course trash) and finally no matter what age my kids were I had lots and lots of batteries! We had a special Scout box for those outings with Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, as we were leaders with both groups.

So we are now Way past the need for diapers and no cleats or goggles are necessary (how I miss those games and meets) but I still have a box in the car. In fact, I have two boxes, one for extra forms and one full of STUFF. Thanks to dear Adrienne, our trainer at Century 21 New Milennium, I was reminded during one of our early training sessions a couple of years ago that we need things in our car!! Oh, like a kid box? Exactly, only bigger, and better! She gave us lots of ideas but I already had one so all I had to do was change out a few things.

I'll bet you have some Junk in your Trunk, here's what some of what I have in mine in no particular order:

Bottled Water, rubber gloves, shoe covers, hammer, screwdriver or multitool, Big flashlight although in a pinch my phone provides some light, lightbulbs, BATTERIES, extra business cards, key tags, lockboxes- combo and supra, trashbags (still handy), granola bars, de-icer, boots, paper towels, baby wipes, zip ties, window cleaner, pliers, sewing kit, measuring tape, mini tripod, extension cords, lint brush, bungee cords, scissors, duct tape and for all you BPO and REO agents -Vicks Vapo Rub, Off spray and an extra set of clothes.

What's in Your Trunk?

Next Installment: What's in the Front Seat besides the Client!

Harley Ramsey
Keller Williams - Chatsworth, CA
Chatsworth, CA Real Estate

Hi Renee,  thanks for the ideas.  This is my last season as a soccer mom, so the folding chair and blanket will be leaving my trunk after many, many seasons.  I like your idea so I won't feel the void!  Cheers, Harley

Oct 20, 2008 10:53 AM
Renée Montgomery
Century 21 New Millennium - Warrenton, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Harley,Ya might want to keep that chair for open houses that are vacant!!

Thanks,

Renee

Oct 20, 2008 11:15 AM
Michael A. Caruso
Surterre Properties - Laguna Niguel, CA

Hi Renee,

I agree. It is certainly a good idea to be prepared!! I look forward to learning what else you have in the front seat in your next post.

Don't forget me if you learn of anyone moving to "The OC!"

Michael

949.753.7900

Oct 20, 2008 11:34 AM
Tracy Nicole Hamilton
Elk Grove, CA
Realtor - Elk Grove CA, Sacramento, CA

This made me laugh.  I created a "kit" after my experience with a house full of roaches!  They were falling off of the ceiling!!!!  I ran screaming out of the house and stripped down to my unmentionables right there in the front yard in BROAD DAYLIGHT!!!  (If you really want to laugh--imagine me doing the "Maniac" dance from Flashdance).

Oct 20, 2008 02:25 PM
Bonita Malone
Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate - Sacramento, CA
GRI, SFR, CDPE

I have a lot of the same things in my trunk. Since I started listing REOs, I also carry bug spray and a small step ladder (in case I have to get into the backyard and can't reach the latch. I never thought I would need to carry latex gloves to list property!

Oct 20, 2008 03:43 PM
Renée Montgomery
Century 21 New Millennium - Warrenton, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Tracy-EEEEEEWWWWWWW I hate roaches-Hate them, I am smiling at that scene, you could call it "Dancing with the Roaches". eewwww

Bonita- I need that step ladder, I had a smoke dtector go off in one of my listings. It was an old one which screamed at you not that gentle beep reminding you to change batteries. I had no way to reach it so I had to shut it off at the circuit breaker. I need to find a small compact ladder to keep in the car.

Renee

Oct 20, 2008 09:57 PM
David Saks
Memphis, TN
Broker / Industry Analyst

I have an extra map in the car in case the GPS conks out on me, and a compass. I even have a cb radio for emergencies on the road in rural areas where cell phone signals might be useless.

Oct 20, 2008 10:13 PM
David Blank
National Realty Brokers - Phoenix, AZ

Thanks for the list,  I need to add a few things.  I also now carry a hose to empty water heaters, tape and preprinted forms for windows, toilets, etc.

 

David Blank

www.nationalrealtybrokers.com

Oct 21, 2008 03:34 PM
Tracy Nicole Hamilton
Elk Grove, CA
Realtor - Elk Grove CA, Sacramento, CA

Step ladder...GOOD ONE!  That is really something my arsenal could use!  Thanks for the idea.

Oct 21, 2008 03:59 PM
Bonita Malone
Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate - Sacramento, CA
GRI, SFR, CDPE

Hey I forgot the about the cordless drill, which always comes in handy as long as the battery is charged.

Oct 21, 2008 04:05 PM
Renée Montgomery
Century 21 New Millennium - Warrenton, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Bonita, I also have a drill that my husband just bought for me. My trunk is getting pretty full.

 

David B, I need to print out some forms, too. But I don't need the hose.

 

David S I also have maps but those are up front! Breaker 1-9 I haven't used a CB in Years!

Renee

 

 

Oct 21, 2008 10:57 PM
Michael Hightower
Keller Williams Arizona Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
CRS

Vaseline? why do REO & BPO brokers need Vaseline?

Oct 24, 2008 01:05 PM
Renée Montgomery
Century 21 New Millennium - Warrenton, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Michael, good catch- that should and will read - Vicks Vapo Rub. Cuts any nasty smells you might encounter. Silly me.

Oct 24, 2008 10:17 PM
Bob Barrie
Keller Williams - Campbell, CA

I have a 5 gallon bucket that I outfited with a tool pouch from Home Depot. I filled it with most the same stuff and then added door locks, padlocks, hasps, nails, screws, wood stiks for windows, and a small saw.

Oct 25, 2008 02:51 AM
Andrew Monaghan
The Monaghan Group - Glendale, AZ
CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

My trunk currently contains

Lockboxes, Supra and Combo's

A very full toolbox

Replacement locks

A 24 volt drill

trash bags

cloths

airfreshners

a saw

and much more,

 

Oct 25, 2008 08:25 AM
Laurie Logan
Keller Williams Realty, Inc., Broker Associate - Madison, WI
South Central WI Real Estate

Hey Renee,

I also include a box of kleenex,,a.k.a. toilet paper substitue!!  and paper towels.

Take care,    Laurie

Oct 25, 2008 07:40 PM
Renée Montgomery
Century 21 New Millennium - Warrenton, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Laurie - my tissues are up front!

Oct 26, 2008 11:27 PM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

oh my - I never thought of the vics-vapor rub - what a great way not to smell - cat pee

Nov 06, 2008 07:12 AM
Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

Great post. My 8 year old nephew says that my car is like a house because I have everything that I need...snacks, water, hand sanitizer, tools, boots...how funny!

Nov 06, 2008 07:14 AM
Renée Montgomery
Century 21 New Millennium - Warrenton, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Thesa- Luckily, I have yet to need the Vicks, but it's there if I need it.

Allen- My husband loves to borrow my SUV and could not understand why I was so uncooperative until he started unloading My House! I am in a rental right now and it's difficult getting everything where I want it. I hope I get my car back next week.

Renee

Nov 06, 2008 10:08 AM